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Nato supplies cut as key bridge blown up in Khyber Agency

JAMRUD: Suspected Taliban on Tuesday blew up a British-era iron bridge near Ali Masjid in Khyber Agency, leading to the suspension of traffic between Landi Kotal and Torkham border and suspending supplies for NATO and US forces in Afghanistan, officials said.

Following the blast, the Pak-Afghan Highway was closed to all traffic. Juma Khan and Zar Jan, drivers of a trailer crossing the bridge at the time of the explosion, told reporters that their trailer crashed when the explosion occurred. “The blast was so powerful that it destroyed the windowpanes of nearby buildings,” they added.

A NATO spokesman in Afghanistan confirmed that supplies along the route had been halted “for the time being,” but stressed the alliance was in no danger of running out of food, equipment or fuel, AP reported.

National Highway Authority officials told Daily Times that repair on the bridge had already started and the road would be re-opened soon. Bulldozers and other equipment have been moved to the site and repair has started, APP reported. “The traffic will be restored by tomorrow at midday,” a security official told AFP.

Security forces cordoned off the area after the blast and Khyber Agency Political Agent (PA) Capt (r) Tariq Hayat Khan visited the site and directed the authorities to repair it at the earliest. Assistant Political Agent Fida Bangash accompanied the PA on his survey of the site.

The khasadars stationed at the bridge were absent at the time of the blast. However, khasadar officials said two more powerful bombs had been planted but failed to detonate, otherwise the bridge might have been completely destroyed.

The political administration of Jamrud, under the Frontier Crimes Regulation, has issued notice to the Jandakhel tribe to hand over the culprits involved in the incident, APP reported. sajid ali/agencies

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